READING SKILLS
Subheadings, boldfaced words, and graphics are all examples of these, which help readers make predictions
Text features
Psychologists call this a "heightened state of concentration and enjoyment"
Flow
The author's main purpose in writing this article
to explain why some video games are more engaging than others
Adjectives answer these three questions
Which one? What kind? How many?
A misplaced modifier is placed too far from the word it __________.
modifies
The subheading "Focus" helps you predict the section will explain how games direct your _____ in the right way
Concentration / Attention
These three section headings explain how games create flow
Challenge, Focus, Reward
The tone the author creates with the brain-as-backpack comparison
Conversational
In "Ripe fruit hangs low on the branch," identify the part of speech of low and what word it modifies
low is an adverb; it modifies hangs
Adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases can all act as these
modifiers
These two specific things help a reader predict what the "Reward" section will be about
The section heading AND
The discussion of brain activity/dopamine earlier in the article
This chemical is released in your brain when you receive a reward
Dopamine
The author's particular attitude or way of regarding a topic
Perspective
In "The late arrival of the guests was rude," identify the part of speech of late and what word it modifies
late is an adjective; it modifies arrival
Identify the misplaced modifier: "The boy kicked the ball wearing cleats."
"wearing cleats"
This sentence from paragraph 1 best expresses the author's perspective rather than a fact
"It's completely unfair."
The author compares your brain to this everyday object when explaining focus (Simile)
A backpack
The author opens with a personal dying-in-a-game story to establish this with the reader
A relatable perspective (or: to hook the reader)
In "I ran very slowly," what part of speech is very and what word does it modify?
very is an adverb; it modifies slowly
Correct this sentence: "She served pizza to the children on paper plates."
According to the cause-and-effect structure in paragraph 9, having too much or irrelevant information onscreen causes this to happen to the player
They become disoriented, unmotivated, and unsure what to do
According to Madigan, games should be designed with these small incentives linked to longer-term goals
Micro-rewards
What Jamie Madigan's quoted words add to the article
Expert evidence / support for the author's claims
In "The daily newspaper arrived," daily is an adjective. Change the sentence so that daily becomes an adverb.
"The newspaper arrives daily."
(daily now modifies the verb arrives)
Correct this sentence: "She fed carrots to the horses in her pajamas."
"In her pajamas, she fed carrots to the horses."
This is the text structure the author uses within each section (Challenge, Focus, and Reward) to explain how each element affects the player
Cause and effect
Explain in one sentence why flow is impossible if a game is either too easy or too hard
Flow requires a perfect balance between the challenge of the game and the skill level of the player
The author shifts from personal perspective to factual evidence mid-article. Explain why.
To establish a relatable hook first, then support his claims with credible information
In "Today, Several long banners hung carelessly in the cafeteria." identify ALL adjectives and ALL adverbs
adjectives: several, long
adverbs: carelessly, today
Correct this sentence: "By focusing on their task, a state of flow can help video game players win a challenge."
By focusing on their task, video game players can reach a state of flow and win a challenge.